Swag U: Miami HurricanesAnalyzed Sports

Swag U: Miami Hurricanes

The team of the 80’s, Swag U, the Bad Boys the Miami Hurricanes have been one of the greatest powers in college sports history. With players throughout the National Football League (NFL) and the Hall of Fame, it’s no doubting the notion that the Hurricanes are one of college football’s best programs of all-time. Howard Schellenberger is the man responsible for turning the Miami football program during his tenure as head coach from 1979-1983. In 1983 Schellenberger led the Hurricanes to a National Championship, defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Orange Bowl. Although Howard Schellenberger left the program after winning the championship in 83′, the Hurricanes were still able to win titles in 1987, 1989, 1991, and 2001.

Can Al Golden turn the Program Around?

The Hurricanes have yet to win a title since 2001 when Larry Coker became the first head coach since 1948 to win the National title in his first season. Al Golden was hired from Temple University in 2011 and is currently in his fifth season as Head Coach. In his first season Miami finished with a 6-6 record. Golden deserves some time to turn the program around after the Hurricanes were docked nine scholarships over a three-year period due to the NCAA handing out sanctions for violations found in the program over a 10 year period. Expectations are now set low for the team that once dominated college football in the 80’s. Miami is 28-22 overall with Golden as head coach.

Photo Credit: @miamihurricanes

2015 Season

Al Golden has recruited well and appears to have loaded up on talent for the upcoming season. The offense has been solid every year under Golden, but his defense needs some work to bring the program back to the winning ways of the 80’s.

The quarterback Brad Kaayas has all the intangibles and looks the part of being a star for the Canes in the years to come. The 6’4″, 209-pound Southern California native captured the ACC Rookie of the Year award and set some of the Hurricanes true freshman records for passing yards and touchdowns. Now in his sophomore year, Kaaya’s needs to take the next step in becoming a great leader for the U this season. The offense will also depend on Running backs Joseph Yearby and junior Gus Edwards after the departure of Duke Johnson to the NFL.

The Hurricanes were ranked 14th nationally in total defense in the 2014 season. The Hurricanes also allowed 300-plus rushing yards to bowl teams Nebraska and Georgia Tech and couldn’t get the stops needed to put away Florida State or South Carolina in close games last season. Last years on and off defense led to a 6-7 finish for the sleeping power. Will the Canes turn the 2015 season back into the old Swag U program of the 80’s ? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, College Football will be so much better when the Hurricanes do decide to return to National Prominence.